Class teaches survival skills for shootings

Published: Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 12:23 a.m.

PRICEVILLE | Sgt. Jason Roberts, of the Alabama ABC Board enforcement division, asked members of a class at Priceville Town Hall to close their eyes and point to an exit.

He tested them three times, asking them to identify a different exit each time.

By the third time, many fingers pointed to dead-end escape routes.

"You need to plan ahead and know your surroundings," said Robert, who taught attendees to "run, hide and fight" in an "active shooter training" class funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

About 80 area residents attended two classes, where they learned what defines an "active shooter" and about historic events, such as the Columbine shootings in 1999, that have created a need for a class of this kind. The classes are designed to inform people of what they should do if a shooter enters a workplace or public gathering, and also what to expect from law enforcement responders.

"It's kill or be killed. Period," Roberts said Tuesday during the class.

Roberts has taught about 2,000 people in the past year and a half. He said the class teaches ways to survive in the event of an active shooter.

"I want you to think about your family and life," Roberts told residents who attended. "Think about sitting at church on Sunday or in a restaurant. It doesn't matter where you're at. The same concepts apply."

According to the Department of Homeland Security, an active shooter is a person or persons who enter a place occupied by multiple people with the intent of killing, Roberts said. There's no method to their selection of victims.

According to the New York City Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau, there were 281 active shooter incidents in the U.S. from 1966 to 2010.

Roberts said people think it won't happen to them. He pointed out the close proximity to an active shooter incident at University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010.

"They just don't need that mentality," Roberts said. "They need to develop a survival mindset to be prepared for the worst situation possible."

Tommy Bayne, safety manager at SP&J General Contractors, attended the class to learn new techniques to ensure the safety of employees. He said his concern is always in the scope of the safety and well-being of employees.

"We're always looking to improve safety," Bayne said. "With the increase of school shootings, I was interested in getting more training."

The North Alabama chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers sponsored the event. Tab Bowling, vice president of ASSE, said the organization sponsored the event to create safety leaders so people go home the same way they went to work — uninjured and with their families.

Bowling said he learned many lessons from the class. The most important thing he learned was that he can fight back, he said.

"When something like that happens, people say nothing could be done," Bowling said. "Something can be done. I can fight back."

<p>PRICEVILLE | Sgt. Jason Roberts, of the Alabama ABC Board enforcement division, asked members of a class at Priceville Town Hall to close their eyes and point to an exit.</p><p>He tested them three times, asking them to identify a different exit each time.</p><p>By the third time, many fingers pointed to dead-end escape routes.</p><p>"You need to plan ahead and know your surroundings," said Robert, who taught attendees to "run, hide and fight" in an "active shooter training" class funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.</p><p>About 80 area residents attended two classes, where they learned what defines an "active shooter" and about historic events, such as the Columbine shootings in 1999, that have created a need for a class of this kind. The classes are designed to inform people of what they should do if a shooter enters a workplace or public gathering, and also what to expect from law enforcement responders.</p><p>"It's kill or be killed. Period," Roberts said Tuesday during the class.</p><p>Roberts has taught about 2,000 people in the past year and a half. He said the class teaches ways to survive in the event of an active shooter.</p><p>"I want you to think about your family and life," Roberts told residents who attended. "Think about sitting at church on Sunday or in a restaurant. It doesn't matter where you're at. The same concepts apply."</p><p>According to the Department of Homeland Security, an active shooter is a person or persons who enter a place occupied by multiple people with the intent of killing, Roberts said. There's no method to their selection of victims.</p><p>According to the New York City Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau, there were 281 active shooter incidents in the U.S. from 1966 to 2010.</p><p>Roberts said people think it won't happen to them. He pointed out the close proximity to an active shooter incident at University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010.</p><p>"They just don't need that mentality," Roberts said. "They need to develop a survival mindset to be prepared for the worst situation possible."</p><p>Tommy Bayne, safety manager at SP&J General Contractors, attended the class to learn new techniques to ensure the safety of employees. He said his concern is always in the scope of the safety and well-being of employees.</p><p>"We're always looking to improve safety," Bayne said. "With the increase of school shootings, I was interested in getting more training."</p><p>The North Alabama chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers sponsored the event. Tab Bowling, vice president of ASSE, said the organization sponsored the event to create safety leaders so people go home the same way they went to work — uninjured and with their families.</p><p>Bowling said he learned many lessons from the class. The most important thing he learned was that he can fight back, he said.</p><p>"When something like that happens, people say nothing could be done," Bowling said. "Something can be done. I can fight back."</p>